“Colton,” I say, breathless.
I watch his eyes dip to my lips, then light with a desire that makes my stomach flutter. My chin tilts upward, willing it to happen. Wanting it to happen.
But … I can’t ignore the warning voice in my head. It reminds me of the drones currently homing in on us and how the last time Colton and I talked about a relationship between us, we’d made it clear it was all for show.
What if Colton is still acting? What if I am the only one waking up to see him smile or going to sleep to find him in my dreams?
Suddenly, my flutterings are replaced with an undeniable fear that makes my stomach feel like a sandbag.
I take the briefest of steps back and look skyward. Above me, I see the drones and imagine myself from their perspective—my arms draped over Colton and him holding me close. We’ve created a perfect moment for the hundreds of thousands of voters who are eager for a good romance. And we need them. America’s votes always determine which teams get an advantage during the two-day final challenge. But even for the votes, Ican’t. Because one glance at Colton makes me certain that I can’t pretend anymore, not when I have real feelings involved.
I drop my arms from Colton’s neck and my feet step back on their own accord, breaking from his grip and widening the gap between us.
Colton’s eyes flash with confusion before they flick to the drones. With a crease in his brow, he looks back at me, closing the space between us one step at a time, but every step forward makes me question if he’s moving closer because he wants me or because the cameras are here and we need votes. Colton is a Downing, after all, and Downings get what they want at whatever the cost. Am I that cost?
The pounding of my pulse competes against the incessant buzz of the drones. I want to cover my ears and hide far away from them, from Colton, from my fears, but instead, I’m stuck in place, weighed down by my warring emotions.
“Missy.” Colton’s fingertips graze the skin of my cheek, instantly flooding my body with heat.
I step back, pulling my face away from his dangerous touch. “Colton. I—” How to explain myself with so many people watching and listening? I retreat one more step and feel myself stumble on the sand. Colton’s hand wraps around my forearm, saving me from a humiliating fall.
“What is it?” he says, his eyes capturing mine. “What’s wrong?”
As much as I want to ask him the truth, I can’t with so many listening. Instead, I look up, motioning to the drones with my eyes. “I know what we’re supposed to do,” I say, referencing the plan we’d put into motion so many nights ago. I swallow hard. “But I just can’t.”
Supposed to do?he mouths, as if puzzling out what it means. Suddenly, his eyebrows shoot up in realization, and both his hands grip mine.
“Missy.” He shakes his head. “Missy Jean, look at me.”
Timidly, I meet his gaze, and the intensity I see there pulls me in.
“Listen.” For a moment, he breaks our physical connection and lifts both hands to either side of my face, sending an electric pulse all the way to my toes. He dips his head until all I can see is him and all I can feel are the sparks between us, ready to ignite. “Missy, have you ever wondered why all these years we professed to hate one another, and yet, whenever we’re in the same room, we can’t help but find each other?” Colton breathes out a laugh, a smile lifting his lips. “I am drawn to you, Missy Jean. I have been since the day I met you.”
I can feel my breath slow as my heart rate increases. Every ounce of his sincerity crushes my shards of doubt and fear, breaking them into little pieces that drift away in the breeze. Once more, my body feels weightless. I want to laugh, but instead a tear slips from my eye.
Gently, Colton brushes it away. “I’ve told you I’m here to win, but I know now that I can live with losing this game, but what I can’t live with is not seeing this through.” He pauses, capturing a strand of my blonde hair that twists in the wind. He twirls it around his finger before tucking it behind my ear and combing my face with his deep-blue gaze. “I can’t live without seeingusthrough.”
With his words, my walls are utterly broken. His thumb lightly brushes my bottom lip, and I know I’m done for. In one glorious second, his mouth finds mine.
His lips are careful at first, as if he’s savoring every morsel of this fragile moment. My hands slide around his back, needing more of him, more of this heart-pounding, head-reeling sensation that is Colton Downing. Gone are the days of our silly feuds, and in their place is my heart, open for him to take.
As if in response, he pulls me closer to him, a hand wrapping around my waist while the other threads through the hair at the base of my neck. His strong embrace is like a familiar blanket. And now, I never want to unravel from it.
Every press of his mouth against mine makes me wonder how I’ve gone so long without this. Without choosing to be with him. Because here, in Colton’s arms, I feel wanted and I feel safe.
Our kiss slows, shifting into something that transcends the physical, making me wonder if I’ll ever feel whole again without this man right beside me.
“Mija!” Maria’s cheerful voice breaks through the jungle, sounding about as sharp as her sudden gasp. Both of which do a thorough job of popping the bubble of bliss I’ve been engulfed in. “Oh, oh no. Back, Bill. Back. Back. Back. Back.” I hear the sounds of crunching leaves and hurried footsteps as Maria and Bill retreat back into the jungle.
“Why? What’s going … Oh.” I hear Bill’s voice followed by more rustling leaves.
Colton’s lips smile against my own.
“I think we’ve been caught,” I say, slowly adjusting to reality.
Colton and I both turn toward the jungle to find Bill and Maria peering at us through the massive leaves of an elephant ear plant.
“Maria, Bill, we can see you.” Colton chuckles, and we put a little more distance between us.
